Fireplace draft mechanism



April 3, 1956 w. COLLINS FIREPLACE DRAFT MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Nov. 28, 1952 INVENTOR. [AIMEE/V05 W GOAL/N5 BY QZ M WZW April 3,1956 w. COLLINS FIREPLACE DRAFT MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Nov. 28,1952 INVENTOR. AA Wei-W05 M GUAM/V5 BY W, M&%

A free/vans United States Patent o FIREPLACE DRAFT MECHANISM Lawrence W.Collins, Billings, Mont. Application November 28, 1952, Serial No.323,000 Claims. (Cl. 126-143) The present invention provides specialdraft mechanism for fireplaces which affords to a fire in the fireplacean adequate supply of air independently of air from the room in whichthe fireplace is located while requiring a minimum of alteration inconventional fireplace design.

In modern building practice, houses are insulated and doors and windowsare weatherstripped so that it is diflicult for aii io enter the housewhen the doors and windows are closed. In weather sufficiently cool tomake a fire in a fireplace desirable, such house openings normally arbeclosed to prevent entrance of cold air as far as possi le.

The fire in a fireplace requires adequate air both to support combustionand to produce a draft for carrying the smoke up the chimney. For thereasons mentioned, it is difiicult to supply to the fireplace sufficientair for these purposes from leakage into the modern house. As a result,the fuel burned in a fireplace is not burned efiiciently or vigorously,and the air in the house is depleted of oxygen to an undesirable extent.

It has been proposed heretofore to provide special fireplaceconstructions affording a supply of air to the fire in the fireplacesupplemental to the air from the room, but such constructions have beencomplex and expensive, incorporating a considerable departure fromconventional practice. It is a principal object of the present inventionto incorporate supplemental draft mechanism into a fireplace structurewithout departing greatly from conventional fireplace constructionpractice so that all the advantages of a supplemental air supply may beobtained with minimum expense.

A further object of the present invention is to enable supplementaldraft mechanism to be installed in a previously constructed fireplace ofconventional type with little alteration in its structure. In newfireplace construction, a similar type of fireplace draft mechanism maybe utilized which can be of a size designed to supply adequate airdepending upon the size and type of house in which the fireplace isinstalled. Less supplemental air will be required if the house is largeor poorly insulated, Whereas more air will be required if the house issmall or well insulated.

Another object of the invention is to provide supplemental air supplymechanism for a fireplace which will supply air most directly to thefire and will not produce drafts in the room in which the fireplace islocated, and which, if desired, may be utilized to improve the burningintensity by increasing the draft up the chimney as well as by supplyingoxygen to support combustion.

A further object is to provide such supplemental air or draft mechanismfor fireplace use which can be adjusted to vary the quantity of airsupplied at any given time depending upon the size of fire desired inthe fireplace and the vigor with which it is desired to burn.

A particular object is to combine draft supplying and ash disposalcapabilities in a single structure so as further to increase the utilityand decrease the expense of the supplemental draft installation.

In order to make the advantages of supplemental draft mechanismavailable for fireplaces of conventional type already constructed, it-isan object to provide draft mechanism which can be installed easily andeconomically in the conventional ash dump opening usually provided inthe fireplace hearth. j

A construction accomplishing the various objects discussed above mayincorporate an L-shaped air supply duct including a horizontal sectionconnected to a vertical section extending through the fireplace hearthin which duct is an aperture opening into the ash pit. A gate ordeflector plate is mounted in such duct to swing between a position inwhich the vertical section of the duct communicates with such apertureopening into the ash pit, and a position in which the horizontal ductsection is in communication with the vertical duct section. Positioningof such plate in one position or the other may be effected by manualcontrol, or, when air is supplied to the horizontal duct section, thepressure of the air may swing the plate into a position closing theaperture to the ash pit and establishing communication between thehorizontal duct section and'the vertical duct section. This plate may bepivoted along its lower edge and swing in the vertical duct section. Theupper end of the vertical duct can be closed by a hinged lid movableinto various adjusted positions to regulate the amount of air dischargedfrom the duct. The vertical and horizontal duct sections also may bepivotally connected so that they may be moved into alignment tofacilitate installation.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be evident fromthe following detailed description of preferred forms of the draftmechanism shown in the accompanying drawings.

Figure l is a top perspective view of one type of combined draft and ashdischarge duct with parts broken away to reveal internal structure.Figure 2 is a side elevation view of such duct with the duct sectionsaligned. Figure 3 is a somewhat diagrammatic view of a fireplace withthe duct installed shown in side elevation but having parts broken awayto disclose internal structure.

Figure 4 is a side elevation viewQparts of which have been broken away,showing a modified form of combined draft and ash discharge duct. Figure5 is a top perspective view of such modifiedform of draft and ashdischarge duct with parts broken away. Figure 6 is an elevation view ofthe same duct type viewed from line 6-6 of Figure 4 at to such figureand shown installed in a fireplace, such fireplace being illustrateddiagrammatically. Figure 7 is a plan view of such duct installation withthe fireplace shown diagrammatically.

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view through a combined draft and ashdischarge duct of the same general type as shown in Figure 4 butproviding a much larger duct passage. Figure 9 is a top perspective viewof this duct with parts broken away. Figure 10 is a plan view of such aduct installed in diagrammatically.

Figure 11 is a top perspective View of a different form of draft ductembodying the invention, and Fig me 12 is an elevation view of the upperportion of such a duct having parts broken away and shown installed in afireplace diagrammatically illustrated.

In supplying direct draft to the fire in a fireplace supplementing airavailable from the room in which the fireplace is located to supportcombustion of the fuel, it is desirable that the air be supplied to thefire as directly as possible. Since heated air and smoke rises, theideal place for delivering the air to obtain the greatest combustionefiiciency is directly beneath the fuel. Where logs a fireplace which isillustrated of the opening.

' wa -es l whether already constructedor, newlyconstructed, in

.which an ash dump opening is locatedcentrally between the side walls ofthefireplace and nearer the back than the front. This duct isconstructedso that it, may be installed readily after thefireplace has been builtand is particularlywell suited, for fireplaces built in the outside wallof a house, although it may also conveniently be installed in aninterior fireplace.

-The duct includes an upright section 1 and a horizontal section 10,adjacent ends of which are mitered, and which preferably are .securedtogether by a pivotal joint. The

duct parts may therefore be swung between the aligned position shown inFigure 2 and the L-shaped arrangement .of Figures land 3. In installingthe duct in the floor of a'fireplace F, the duct section lt) mayfirst belowered through an aperture of a size to receive it rather closely, andthe section 1 may then also be lowered through the aperture in the flooruntil the flange 11 seats on the edge A hole horizontally aligned withthe lower end of duct section 1 may then be cut in the ash pit wall anda duct section extended through it to telescope with the duct'sectionswung upward into the horizontal position of Figure 3. By working down.through the upper end of the upright section 1, sheet metalv screws 12may be secured through overlapping portions of the mitcred endstosupport the end of duct section 10 adjacent to section 1, while thetelescoping duct section extending through the wall of the ash pit .willsupport the other end of section 10.

.Within the L-shaped duct is a plate movable to serve the dualpurpose ofanash deflection plate and an air supply valve. Such a plate 13 may bemounted to swing about its lower edge between an inclined position,shown in broken lines in Figure 3 and in full lines in Figure 1 in whichit closes the horizontal air supply duct 10 and serves as an ashdeflection plate down which ashes dropping through upright duct 1 mayslide through an aperture 14 into the ash pit, and the-solid lineposition of Figure 3. In the duct type shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, theash dischargeaperture is in the upright wall of duct 1 remote fromhorizontal .duct .section 10. A rod 15 secured to the lower edge ofplate 13 is received in apertures at the lower edge of this opening.These apertures are arranged so that each end of rod 15 extends throughan aperture both in a wall of duct section 1 and a wall of duct section10, and the rodends both guide plate 13 for swinging movement betweenthe solid and dotted line positions shown in Figure 3 and also serveasthe pivots about-which duct section 10 can swing relative to ductsection 1, as indicated by the arrow and broken line in Figure 2.

The upper end of duct section 1 is closable by a cover 16 hinged to theupper edge of duct section 1 farther from the front of the fireplace F,because the ash pit opening normally is located nearer the back of thefireplace than the front. The swinging edge of this cover may have arecess-forming bulge l'l forming a recess into which the end of a pokermay be inserted to raise the cover when desired, as indicated in brokenlines in Figure 3. The cover will be held in any adjusted position by afriction slide 18 at each side of the cover. 7

In operation, the fireplace may be used in the conventional manner withthe cover 16 closed. When it is desired to empty 'ashes from thefireplace, thecover 16'wi1l .at its rearedge so be swung upwardly andthe ashes raked into the upright duct section 1, as usual. Plate 13,being in its lower inclined position, will deflect the ashes from theirvertical descent so that they will slide out through the opening 14 intothe ash pit. When the fire is burning and additional air for the fire isdesired, a poker will be used to swing-the'lid 16 upward'a;.greater-or.-lesser amount from closed position, depending upon theamount of additional air needed. Because-of-the draft created by risingof the smokefromthe fire, air will be-drawn. thermally upward throughduct section 1, and if plate 13 is swung into substantially ruprightposition,:.being pressed against ledge 19 by pulling on chain 20, airwill be drawn through horizontal duct section 10 from a location outsidethe ash pit. Instead of relying upon natural draft to supplythe..supplemental ..air, ayariablespeed or constant .speed blower; may.be .incorporated in. duct 10.

w ile .plate .ll'tmrn ayebev swung manually from the ,broken linepositionpt .Eigure. 3,.tolthe solid line, position for. draft purposes.bypulling on. chain. -20 as described, andthe .uppenend. of..the chainthen suitably secured to hold .the plate. in ithislposition, suchplate.movement may be ettected.. autornatical1yIwhenforced draft is suppliedto duct.10,,- and.perhaps even= natural draft will be suffl cient.toaccomplish. this action. No plate swinging chain is showninFigureIland EigureZ, and its use is optional. If the plate 13 is to be swungsimply by the pressure ofairupon it, itshouldube made of light metal,such as aluminum or: magnesium, or. of a. light, noncombustible and heat,resistannplastid material.

With the. ash discharge and draft supplying aperture settowardthe rearof .the fireplaceafloor, asin Figure; 3,

it ispreferred that-the. door..16 be hinged substantially that theairsuppliedwill be deflected into the rear ofa-firebuiltsubstantiallycentrally in the fireplace. .In. .new fireplace construction, however,it is not necessary to locate-the fireplacefiooraperture either forsairasupply or for ash disposalpurposes as far to the rear a s shown inFigure 3. On the. contrary, it may -be preferred to place this aperturequite near the front of the fireplace-F as shown for the draft mechanismof Figures 4 and 5 installed in Figures 6 and 7. In this instanc e,theupright duct. section 21 is of approximately the .same-sizeas theupright ductsection. 1 of the Figure l draftzmechanism butthe horizontalduct section projects laterally from a narrow sideof the upright ductinstead of from a widerside. Thejduct section 22 is thus projected[through the side wall of the ash pit, as indicated in'brokenlines inl-"igure' 7, instead of through its back wall. Also the duct "sections'21and 22 are joined together'permanentlyso that-this type of L-shaped'ductwill be built into the fireplace base 'as its construction progresses.

Toxdivide the horizontal air-supply duct 22 from the upright ductsection Ql twhen ashes are to be discharged through the vupright duct.section, the swinging plate .23

is provided. Like. the .platepl3 ,in the ,form of draft mechanismpreviously described, :plate 23 is swingable between-.aninclinedposition closingthe horizontal duct portion, and-constitutingadeflection plate on which ashes .will slicleior discharge into the ashpit through aperture ZA intheside wall of -the upright duct remote fromthe horizontal duct,.an'd the uprightposition shown in dotted lines in'Figure4 in which the ash discharge aperture is closed and communicationis established between theihorizontal duct section and the upright ductsection. Thisplate may be moved automatically from inclined to uprightposition by flow of air through the horizontal-duct section in thedirection indicated by the arrow. vAs in Sthe construction previouslydescribed, the

plate 23 maybe supportedifor such swinging movement by a rod .25 securedto its lower. edge and having its opposite ends engaged inapertures inthe duct structure.

The upper end of the upright duct 21 is closable by a lid 26 which, inthis instance, is mounted on a hinge 27 extending along the edge of theupright duct section closer to the front of the fireplace as shown inFigures 6 and 7. This lid also has a bulge 28 in its swinging edge withwhich a poker may be engaged to swing the cover into a desired adjustedposition, and the cover is held in such position by the friction slide29. When the supplemental air supply duct is mounted in the forwardlocation shown in Figure 7, with the inner edge of the lid opening, airflowing through the duct will have a rearward component of movement asit is emitted from the upper duct end, so that it will be directedefiectively into the fire.

If it should be desired to provide a larger supply of supplemental air,or to supply a given quantity of supplemental air at a lower velocity,the area of opening into the fireplace floor may be increased. Suchincrease preferably is accomplished by enlarging the extent of theopening parallel to the fireplace opening instead of expanding theopening in a direction perpendicular to the fireplace opening. Thisenables the air still to be directed most effectively rearwardly intothe fire instead of being discharged immediately beneath it. An innerduct opening of the maximum size which would ever be needed is providedin the duct of Figures 8, 9 and 10. It will be understood that a ductstructure may be utilized having an opening of a size anywhere betweenthat of the duct shown in Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7, and that of the ductshown in Figures 8, 9 and 10.

While the horizontal duct section 30 of Figures 8 and 9 may have thesame width as the upright duct section 31, the width of both ducts beingequal to the width of duct sections 21 and 22, shown in Figures 4, and6, it is desirable for the depth of duct section to be greater than thatof duct section 22, because of the greater extent of duct section 31 ina direction parallel to duct section 31'). When the upright duct sectionhas a relatively narrow horizontal cross-sectional shape as compared tothat of the upright duct section in Figures 4 and 5, a different airvalve and ash deflector plate arrangement may be used. In the structureof Figures 8 and 9, the ash discharge opening 32 is in the bottom wallof the vertical duct section at a location remote from the horizontalduct section 30, instead of being in an upright wall of duct section 31remote from the hori zontal duct section. The ash deflector plate 33 iscarried and guided for swinging by pivot rod 34 at its lower end locatedadjacent to the ash discharge opening 32 and having its ends received inthe opposite duct walls, respectively.

When the plate 33 is in the ash deflecting position, as

shown in broken lines in Figure 8, ashes falling through the upperopening of upright duct 31 either will drop directly through the opening32 or will fall onto the inclined deflector plate and slide down it andthrough the bottom opening of the vertical duct section into the ashdump. t is preferred that the pressure of air supplied throughhorizontal duct section 30 will swing the dc flector plate from thebroken line position of Figure 8 into the solid line position of thatfigure. In order to enable such operation to be accomplished, the platewill be made of light metal or non-inflammable and heat resistantplastic material, as discussed previously.

In the two types of ash deflector and air valve plate installationsdescribed above in connection with Figures 1 to 7, the plate 13 neverwill be swung quite into a vertical position. As soon as the flow of airthrough the horizontal duct section ceases, therefore, theweight of theplate will swing it into the inclined position closing the air duct andestablishingcommunication between the upright duct section and theopening communicating with the ash pit. In the arrangement of Figures 8and 9, however, the plate 33 can swing from the broken line position ofFigure 8, past the vertical positioninto the solid line position closingthe bottom opening 32. Upon cessation of the flow of air through thehorizontal duct 30, the weight of the plate tends to hold it in thissolid line position. To return the plate into the broken line position,a tension or tie member 35 is connected between a fitting 36, carried bythe duct structure adjacent to the horizontal duct section 30, and afitting 37 on the swinging plate which is located remote from the pivot34. A pulling force will be exerted by this tension member on fitting 37by a tension-producing element such as a light spring 38, or a smallweight carried by the central portion of the tension member. The forceexerted by the spring or weight should be sufficient to swing the platefrom the solid line position past vertical position so that it will beswung by gravity into the broken line position of Figure 8 when the airfiow has ceased, but should not be great enough to require much airpressure in order to effect swinging of the plate from the broken lineposition to the solid line position. Such spring or weight should notexert appreciable tension in the member 35 until after plate 33 has beenswung toward the solid line position of Figure 8 beyond the vertical.

As shown in Figure 10, the supplemental draft duct unit of Figures 8 and9 preferably is mounted toward the front of the fireplace floor, and thehorizontal duct section 30 will extend through the side of the ash pitcomparable to the installation of the duct device shown in Figures 4 to7, inclusive. For installation in this position, the lid 39 covering theupper end of the vertical duct 31 should be hinged along its edge nearerthe fireplace opening, and a poker may be engaged with the lifting loop40 projecting upward from the swinging edge of the lid to regulate thedegree of lid opening. AS in the previously described types of ductarrangement, the lid will be held in any such adjusted position by thefriction slide 41.

The duct mechanism of Figures 11 and 12 is generally similar to thetypes shown in Figures 4 to 7 and 8 to 10, but the vertical duct has ahorizontal cross section of a size between the sizes of the verticalducts illustrated in these other embodiments. The vertical duct portion42 normally is separated from the horizontal duct portion 43 by theswingable plate 44, and the opening 45 through which this plate willdeflect ashes from the vertical duct section 42 into the ash pit isformed partially in the upright wall remote from the horizontal duct 43and partially in the bottom of the upright duct at its end remote fromthe horizontal duct. The pivot 46 about which plate 44 swings is locatedadjacent to the bottom of the verti cal duct and the edge of the opening45 closest to the horizontal duct. A bafiie 47 projecting into theupright duct from its upright side remote from the horizontal ductserves as a stop for plate 44 so that it cannot swing quite intovertical position, enabling it to be moved by gravity into the solidline-position of Figure 11 when the air supplied to the horizontal ductis cut 01f. The baffie, of course, serves the additional purpose of achute down which ashes may slide onto plate 44.

The duct structure of Figures 11 and 12 may be mounted adjacent to thefireplace opening, as shown in Figure 12 and described in connectionwith Figures 4 to 10, inclusive. This modification, however, has a typeof lid difierent from that shown in the other forms of the device. Themain lid 48 has an aperture adjacent to its hinged edge, which isclosable by a subordinate cover 49. The opening of lid 48 may beadjusted as previously described by engagement of loop 50 with a pokerand it may be held in any such adjusted position by the slide member 51to direct air into the fire itself. The subordinate cover 49 will beopened with the main cover 48, but in addition, this subordinate covermay be opened relative to the main cover by engaging a poker in the loop52 on the subordinate cover adjacent to its swinging edge. The effect ofopening subordinate cover 49 mat nee is ..-i s.trated t-F ni e Ala d letina n tp rthe .41 into-the. hi mer. t i du e or i e t e. r I i ubq ia.

sh .u w dthreushr t alt et t nate cover may be held in. anyadjustedposition relative to rnain cover 48; bythe slide element 53.. Itwill be ppr a a y prope div tmeat of l d- 4 r l i to the ppe -end o t eet se o 4 d. d ust e t of subordinate cover 49; relative to maincover48,. the relationship between the quantity of air delivered. directly:

to the fire and. thatproiected up the chimney. can be selected asdesired.

While the positive deflector plate opening chain 20 is shown only inconnection with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figurejl, it will be understood;

that a suitable deflector plate. position. adjusting member could beprovided for all of tl1eforms discussed, it desired. For the typeshownin Figures 8 and 9, for example, the spring 3801' equivalent mechanismcould be re-' opening in its lower portion, an air supply duct connectedto said upright duct, and a plate having a lower edge hingedly mountedbetween the ash discharge opening and the connection of the air supplyduct to the uprightv duct for guiding said plate to swing between aposition closing communication between said air supply duct and saidupright duct and a position in which it closes said. ash dischargeopening and the air supply. duct is in com-. munication with saidupright duct.

2. The draft mechanism defined in claim 1, and a hinged cover operableto close the upper end of the upright duct, and swingable into variousadjusted positions to regulate the degree of opening of the upper end ofthe upright duct.

3. The draft mechanism defined in claim I, and a hinged cover operableto close the upper end of the upright duct and including a main portionswingable into. various adjusted positions at an acute angle to thefireplace floor to regulate the amount of opening. for supply of air tothe fuel, and an auxiliary portion swingable relative to said mainportion through an acute angle. for

discharge of air through said main cover portion directed above the.fuel for increasingthe chimney draft.

4. Draft mechanism in a fireplace having a floor cornprisingan uprightduct having its upper end openingthrough the fireplace floortand havingan-ash discharge opening in its lower portion, an air supply ductconnected to and extending transversely of said upright duct, and an ashdeflection plate having a lower edge hingedly mounted between the ashdischarge opening and the con.- nection of the air supply duct to theupright duct for guiding said plate. to swing between. a position.closing communication between. said air supply duct and. said uprightduct, in which it will deflectthroug'n such ash discharge opening ashesfalling on said plate, and a position in which it closes said ashdischarge opening and the air supply duct is in communication with saidupright duct.

5. The draft mechanism defined inclaim 4, and means connected to the ashdeflection plate and engageable to swing the plate from ductclosingposition-into position closing the ash discharge opening.

6. Draft mechanism in aiireplace having a bacl a floor. anda roomopening above. such floor opposite. such back,; comprising an. upright.duct. having its. upper end openingthroughthe fireplace floor. closerto..the.fire-.

pl ce haslst anfiatha a de sia a r es ate on on quat r thsi pner mi -oiid i br sht du th ne a along;

the. portion of of; said covcn, an air supply duct cotn ected Eto saidup:

right; duct, and a plate having a lower edge hingedly mounted; betweenthe ash. discharge opening andrthe connection of the air supply. duct-tothe -upright duct. for

guiding said plate. to swing between a position closing communicationbetween .-;.said air supply duetv and said pri ht dust. d a p it on i nh h; i clo e id. a h ss arse enin ns e r s pp duct is in m: municationwith said upright duct.

7. Draft meehanisn i in a fireplace having a. back, a

floor anda room opening above such floor opposite: ch r mp sins. a -upriht. u t. having i upper end opening: through the fireplace floor closerto thefireplace room opening tthan to the fireplace back and having anash dischargeopeningtin its lower portion, a cover closing the upper endopening of saidupright duct and hinged at. its edge; closer-to thefireplace room openingforupward. swinging of its opposite edge fromclosedposition, an air supply ductconnected to said upright duct, and aplatehaving a lower edge hingedly mounted between the ash, dischargeopeningand the connection of the air supply duct to the upright duct forguiding said'plate to swingbetween a position closing communicationbetween said air. supply duct and said upright duct and a position inwhich it closes said ash discharge open: inghand the air supply. duct isin communication with said; upright duct.

8. Draft mechanism in. a fireplace having a floor com prising. anupright duct of rectangular cross section having.

itsupper end opening through. the fireplace floor and having. an. ashdischarge opening in an upright wall. of its lower portion,.-an. airsupply duct connected to the side of said upright duct opposite saidashdischargeopening and extending therefrom transverselyof said uprightduct, and.

a plate hinged along the-lower edge of such ash discharge opening andswingable between a substantially. vertical.

position closing such .ash discharge opening. and an inclined. positionclosing the junction between said air supply duct and said upright duct.

9. The draft mechanism defined in claim 8, and pivot. means.interconnecting the. upright: duct and air supply duct for relativeswinging about an axis adjacent to the plate hinge. axis betweensubstantially aligned positionof the ducts and positions in which theair supply duct extendsv transversely of the upright duct.

10. Draft mechanism in a fireplace having a floor COl'llprisingv anupright duct. having itsupper end opening through the fireplace floorand having. an ash dischargeopening in the bottom thereof offsetvfrom.the central portion. of the duct bottom, an air supplyduct connected tosaid upright duct at the side...thercof remote from such ash. discharge,opening, and a plate disposed in said upright ductand having an edge,thereof hingedly supported adjacent to the edge of such ash dischargeopening closer to the center of the. upright duct bottom and swingablebetween an. inclined position closing such ash discharge opening'andan'oppositely: inclined position closing communicationbetween said airsupplydnct and said uprightduct.

11'. The draft: mechanism-definedin claim 10, and a tensionmembereonnectingt the upright duct and the plate at a location remotefrom its hinged edgeand operable to exert a pull on such plate tendingto swingit from the position in which it closes the ash dischargevopening. towardthe position in which ,it' closes communication betweenthe air, supply ductand; the up'right duct.

12.;.,Draft;- mechanism. in .a fireplace having a floor comprising-en:upright duct having its upperend open: ingg-throughxthe, fireplace;fioonand having an. ash dis: charge-openingaimits dowcri-pqrtion an air.supply duct he upr ght .du c ts .u ppen end. closer; to the tfireplace..baclc ,fo r upward swinging of the front cdge connected tosaid upright duct, a plate disposed to move between a position closingcommunication between said air supply duct and said upright duct and aposition in which is closes said ash discharge opening and the airsupply duct is in communication with said upright duct, and hinge meansinterconnecting said plate and the bottom of said air supply duct at alocation adjacent to said ash discharge opening and guiding said platefor swinging between such positions.

13. Draft mechanism in a fireplace comprising an upright duct having itsupper end opening into the fireplace and in its lower portion an endopening and a side opening, a plate disposed to move between a positionclosing said end opening while said side opening is unobstructed and aposition closing said side opening while said end opening isunobstructed, and hinge means carried by said duct at a location betweensaid end and side openings and guiding said plate for swinging betweensuch positions.

14. The draft mechanism defined in claim 13, and 20 means connected tothe plate and movable to swing the plate from its position closing theend opening into its position closing the side opening.

15. Draft mechanism in a fireplace having a floor comprising an uprightduct having its upper end opening through the fireplace floor, an airsupply duct connected to said upright duct, and a hinged cover operableto close the upper end of said upright duct and including a main portionswingable into various adjusted positions at an acute angle to thefireplace floor, to regulate the amount of opening for supply of air tofuel on such fireplace fioor, and an auxiliary portion swingablerelative to said main portion through an acute angle for discharge ofair through said main cover portion directed above the fuel forincreasing the chimney draft.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS105,297 Bent July 12, 1870 161,724 Winfield Apr. 6, 1875 219,530 SageSept. 9, 1879 656,895 King Aug. 28, 1900 1,702,710 Sparrow Feb. 19, 19292,409,731 Bolinger Oct. 22, 1946 2,470,430 Carter May 17, 1949 FOREIGNPATENTS 3,465 Great Britain of 1877

